US Navy certifies Aegis Baseline 9.C1
The latest evolution of the Aegis Combat System, Baseline 9.C1, has been certified by the US Navy and Missile Defense Agency (MDA) for the US destroyer fleet, the Lockheed Martin announced on 11 January.
Aegis Baseline 9.C1 is set to provide the US Navy surface fleet with an even more advanced air defence capability. Baseline 9.C1 includes the Balistic Missile Defense (BMD) 5.0 Capability Upgrade, which provides the capability to shoot down ballistic missiles in both the endo-atmosphere (lower atmosphere) and exo-atmosphere (upper atmosphere).
The BMD capabilities of Baseline 9.C1 are also present in Aegis Ashore, the ground-based missile defence programme that is the second phase of the US Phased Adaptive Approach to protect Europe from ballistic missile attack.
Baseline certification follows testing and verification of recent BMD upgrades performed by the navy and the MDA. Over the course of the four test events aboard USS John Paul Jones, Aegis detected, tracked, and engaged two ballistic missile and two air warfare targets, with each event resulting in the successful intercept of a single target.
Jim Sheridan, director of Aegis program, Lockheed Martin, said: ‘The Aegis Combat System Baseline 9.C1 offers unprecedented capabilities, including simultaneous air and ballistic missile defence. This Aegis baseline also improves Aegis networking capabilities, allowing Aegis vessels to automatically coordinate defence with input from satellite and ground-based radar assets—forming a true shield of defence over a wide area.’
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Rheinmetall’s GMF 140: Ambitious frigate or market misfit?]()
Rheinmetall’s GMF 140: Ambitious frigate or market misfit?
Rheinmetall has unveiled its first next-generation frigate design, showing ambitions to compete as a surface combatant prime contractor. While the company is targeting North America, analysts believe the concept may be better positioned for future European programmes.
-
![US Navy $76.6bn award provides stability for submarine production]()
US Navy $76.6bn award provides stability for submarine production
The US Department of War’s US$76.6 billion Columbia-and Virginia-class submarine contract gives industry demand certainty as Washington seeks to rebuild its shipbuilding base.
-
![Dreadnought Phase 4 opens £2.5 billion supply chain opportunity]()
Dreadnought Phase 4 opens £2.5 billion supply chain opportunity
The UK government’s £8.4 billion Dreadnought Phase 4 investment sets aside £2.5 billion for the wider submarine supply chain, opening new work beyond BAE Systems’ prime contract.
-
![Hanwha Ocean deepens US ties and eyes Saudi submarine prospect after Canada setback]()
Hanwha Ocean deepens US ties and eyes Saudi submarine prospect after Canada setback
Hanwha Ocean is deepening ties with the US and eyeing a submarine opportunity in Saudi Arabia, as South Korea looks to convert its Canadian defeat into export momentum.
-
![A400M trial demonstrates airborne deployment of uncrewed surface vessel]()
A400M trial demonstrates airborne deployment of uncrewed surface vessel
Kraken Technology Group’s A400M airdrop of a K3 Scout uncrewed surface vessel points to a new way for navies to insert USVs into contested waters, bypassing ports and motherships.
